"Hush!" begged Tom, in a low voice. "I'm willing to pay,
Ned, for the sake of having proved what my tank could do.
I'm only too glad to learn no one was hurt. Was there?" he
asked, turning to the farmer.
"Was there what?"
"Was there anybody in your barn?"
"Not as I knows on," was the grouchy answer. "A man who
saw your machine coming thought she was headed for my
building, and he run and told me. Then some friends of mine
brought me here in their machine. I tell you I've got all
the evidence I need ag'in you, an' I'm going to have
damages! That barn was worth three thousand dollars if it
was worth a cent, and--"
"This matter can easily be settled," said Tom, trying to
keep his temper. "My name is Swift, and--"
"Don't get swift with me, that's all I ask!" and the
farmer laughed grimly at his clumsy joke.
"I'll do whatever is right," Tom said, with dignity. "I
live over near Shopton, and if you want to send your lawyer
to see mine, why--"
"I don't believe in lawyers!" broke in the farmer. "All
they think of is to get what they can for theirselves.
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